(The Center Square) – More than 8.9 million travelers in AAA’s West North Central Region will go 50 miles or more from their homes during the Christmas holiday season, which begins Dec. 23 and ends Jan. 1.
The travel statistics for the region, which includes Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, are up by 1.3% from last year, or 117,000 travelers, according to AAA.
Travel by trains, buses or cruise lines will see the most significant increases, while air transportation shows a 6.1% increase projection. Of the 8.9 million commuters expected, 8.1 million will travel by auto, an increase of 59,000 from last year.
Commuters driving from Iowa for the holiday can expect to pay an average of $2.86 per gallon. Drivers from North Dakota and South Dakota can budget their pocketbooks at an average of $2.99 and $3.05, respectively.
“With a record number of travelers, the roads, airports and cruise lines will be more crowded than normal,” said Debbie Haas, AAA’s vice president of travel. “So finalize your travel plans now, anticipate longer lines, and give yourself extra time to get to your destination.”
With average airline prices reduced slightly from last year, commercial flights from the region are projected to have 385,000 air passengers, 22,000 more than in 2022 and the third highest over the past three years.
Another 321,000 travelers from the region will commute by other means to celebrate the holiday, surpassing 2019’s 309,000 travelers. Cruise lines are gearing up for the surge in reservations that is the norm at the beginning of each new year and the post-pandemic increase in demand for their services. Travel by bus and train will also increase, according to AAA.
